Arinze Madu, the Catholic priest, who was abducted by gunmen in Enugu State, has regained his freedom, PREMIUM TIMES is reporting.
The Enugu State Government announced Madu’s release in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement quoted the spokesperson of the Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu, as saying that “the priest was released unhurt on Wednesday afternoon.”
Madu, a Vice-Rector at the Queen of Apostle Spiritual Year Seminary, Imezi-Owa in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, was kidnapped at the gate of the institution on Monday.
The priest was abducted only two months after two other Catholic priests were kidnapped and killed.
The government did not however say whether a ransom was paid to secure the release of the clergyman.
Read the full statement by the Enugu government below.
The Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Arinze Madu of Queen of Apostles Seminary, Imezi Owa in Ezeagu Local Government Area, Enugu State, who was abducted on Monday at the gate of the institution by unknown hoodlums has regained his freedom.
Confirming his release, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, said that “the priest was released unhurt, Wednesday afternoon”.
It would be recalled that the Enugu State Government had charged the security agencies to ensure the rescue of the priest.
The state command of the Nigeria Police Force and other sister agencies had intensified efforts in the manhunt for the freedom of the kidnapped priest.
The Catholic Diocese of Enugu in its official Facebook page, also confirmed the release of the priest.
The church said Madu “was released this (Wednesday) afternoon from the kidnappers’ den.”